NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Fla. — George McKeithan Moss Jr., age 81, of New Smyrna Beach, Florida, passed away on Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2022, surrounded by family at his home.
Born May 5, 1941, in Rockingham, North Carolina, he was the son of the late George McKeithan Moss Sr. and Lottie Marie Huggins Moss.
He was a graduate of Rockingham High School and received his Bachelor of Arts Degree from Catawba College in Salisbury, North Carolina, Class of 1964.
He began his aviation career in 1965 when he learned to fly in the United States Navy. He was an active-duty service member in the U.S. Navy for six years and rolled into active-duty reserves where he retired as a captain. In 1970, Capt. Moss began a commercial flying career with Eastern Airlines where he was an active pilot for over 21 years. After leaving Eastern Airlines, he flew and worked in aviation management for multiple companies — Pan Am II, Kiwi, Air South, Eastwind, Air Cargo, Capital Cargo — before officially retiring from aviation in 2007.
George had a strong desire to serve others throughout his life and did so in numerous ways. He was a member of Coronado Community United Methodist Church where he had served on the Endowment and Scholarship Committees. He was also a lifelong supporter of Catawba College and a longtime ambassador for the school’s admissions program, representing Catawba at Florida college fairs for over 18 years and at over 125 events. He served on the Board of Visitors for the college since 2012 and in 2019 received the Distinguished Alumni Award for his services.
Mr. Moss was also a volunteer with Alpha Program at the Salvation Army, was a mentor at the New Smyrna Beach middle and high schools and was a sailing instructor at the Smyrna Yacht Club. Scottish history, music and college football were his passions. Capt. Moss was a proud member of the Maxwell Clan.
Mr. Moss was preceded in death by his parents as well as brothers Chester Ray Moss, Samuel Wayne Moss and William Carroll Moss; and an infant daughter, Kendra Lynn Moss.
He is survived by his wife, Doris Elliott Moss; sons Gavin M. Moss (Carolyn) of Elon, North Carolina, and Terek L. Moss (Amy) of Brookside Village, Texas. He was a loving “Gramps” to Gannon M. Moss, Kayden N. Moss, Garrison T. Moss and Landon M. Moss.
A service in remembrance of Capt. Moss will be conducted at West Rockingham United Methodist Church on Thursday, Aug. 25, 2022. Mr. Moss will lie in state beginning at 10 a.m. and a service beginning at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Dr. Kenneth Clapp officiating. Entombment will follow at Richmond Co. Memorial Park Mausoleum Chapel with military honors.
Memorials may be made to Catawba College, checks made payable to Newman Park Baseball Renovation, 2300 W. Innes Street, Salisbury, NC 28144; or New Smyrna Beach Middle School Mentor Program, checks made payable to NSBMS, care of David Smith, Program Treasurer, 261 Minorca Beach Way #201 New Smyrna Beach, FL 32169; or In honor of Mr. Moss’ valiant fight with Parkinson’s disease, Rock Steady Boxing, checks made payable to “In This Corner” and mailed to P.O. Box 1627, New Smyrna Beach, Florida 32170 or through www.inthiscorner.org.
Online condolences may be made at watson-kingfuneralhome.com. Watson-King Funeral Home in Rockingham is serving the Moss family.
